Despite Labor, the Greens and a majority crossbenchers successfully blocking the wage freeze from passing through parliament, the matter is currently before the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC), and the state government is still exploring every avenue to make it a reality.

An act, which secretary of the Kempsey branch of the New South Wales Nurses and Midwives' Association, Leanne Klug, says is a slap in the face to all who have been asked to put themselves in the firing line during the COVID panic.

"We've all been on the front lines, helping communities affected by COVID-19, for which we've been receiving plenty of praise, but then to turn around and try to cut our pay, just when we need it most, it's wrong," she said.

"Many of our nurses and midwives are the sole income earners for their families right now, and some have adult children who've lost their jobs and had to come home, budgets are stretched very thin as it is."

COVID-19 has enacted a hefty price on our communities so far; the economy is on life support, businesses are closing their doors in droves, and job loss is at an all-time high.

The freeze on the 2.5 per cent increase is being touted as a necessary evil to help pay for the spiralling costs of managing COVID; however, Leanne insists that taking the wages will only make matters worse.

"If we lose this, and the state government takes our wage, that's less money to go into the community, "she said.

"Most of our nurses and midwives would be forced to curb their spending, and ultimately it would be the local businesses who will suffer.

"If given a choice between feeding your family, or helping out a local business by keeping a gym membership, or buying a cup of coffee in the morning? What would you choose?"

According to a YouGov* survey of nurses and midwives, 80 per cent of respondents indicated their spending on eating out, gym membership, shopping and other activities would drop, or stop altogether if the wage freeze gets through.

Eighty-three per cent of respondents said they were already stressed by the day to day expenses, and roughly 77 per cent said they feel underpaid.

Many of our local nurses and midwives have spent their spare time campaigning against the wage freeze in conjunction with other demonstrations around the state.

"We've been out door knocking, talking to local businesses, and the majority of people have voiced their support, we've been getting a great response," Leanne said.

"There was also a COVID safe protest outside Melinda Pavey's office, and many of the people in passing cars were cheering us on."

Previously, the government offered a one-off $1000 payment instead of the legislated rise, but General Secretary of the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association Brett Holmes says it was nothing but a poorly executed plan to buy silence.

"The NSW government was effectively trying to silence 50,000 nurses and midwives with a $1000 payment, short-changing them on the sacrifices they have made and continue to make every day," he said.

"They withdrew the offer when public-sector unions wouldn't agree on the spot during a teleconference with Treasurer Perrottet late on a Sunday night."

The full bench of the NSW IRC will ultimately have the final say in the matter, with further hearings scheduled for August 10 to August 12.

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